BAGUIO CITY- With slight fluctuations, a downward trend in crimes in the city was reported by the Baguio City Police Office during the second quarter City Human Rights, Justice, Peace and Order Council (CHRJPOC) meeting at city hall last Tuesday.
The meeting was presided over by Mayor Mauricio Domogan, and attended by Councilors Roberto Ortega and Mike Lawana, Prosecutor Elmer Sagsago, Acting BCPO Director PSSupt. George Daskeo, National Police Commission (NaPolCom ) head Soledad Benwaren, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) head Gil Castro, Barangay Official Editha Ibarra, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Baguio Field Office head Evelyn Trinidad, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) officer April Rose Ayangwa, and other concerned agencies.
The BCPO report focused on crimes on a weekly basis, for details on crime clock peaks and hot spots. Theft cases top the list, with physical injuries and robbery next. There were a case each of motornapping and homicide, within 4 weeks. In April 20 to 26, there were 43 crimes committed; April 27 to May 3, 40; May 4 to 10, 50; and May 11 to 17, 35. Crimes slowly peaks at 4AM, drops during most of the day, up at 4 PM up to 5PM, down by 6PM and ups again at 7PM.
BCPO personnel identified hotspots, established linkages with the community and night spot owners for the strict implementation of curfew hours and, waged information and education campaigns. Checkpoints were put up, specially during the election period.
On the illegal drug scene, PDEA regional head Castro reported on the existence of liquefied shabu (Methamphetamine) in the city in addition to that in crystallized form. Liquid shabu is easy to ingest, while fruiting tops and stalks of Cannabis sativa (Marijuana or weed) are now preferred, Castro said. Solvents are commonly bought and used by children in the streets, he added.
Since January this year, 23 operations were conducted, 27 drug personalities arrested, and 140.2116 grams of Shabu and 1,709.51 grams Marijuana, three Marijuana seedlings, 2.4 ml liquid Shabu and other suspected illegal drugs were confiscated.
Close coordination with the BCPO and the community is needed, Castro admitted. Thirty-nine lectures and 62 interviews were conducted. There were also cases filed in court. Thirty-two (32) barangays are still drug-affected, Castro said.
According to Councilor Ortega, chair of the Human Rights, Justice, Public Protection and Safety, Peace and Order committee, a rehabilitation center for those addicted to illegal drugs is mulled. Ortega also said rewards are given to tipsters on drug pushers and merchandisers.
As to a call for the creation of a crisis management committee, the body agreed on strengthening the existing functions to the CHRJPOC.
Meanwhile, NaPolCom officer Soledad Benwaren called on those interested to join the police force. Online applications for the Oct. 16, 2016 entrance examinations is on July 18 to 22, for Police Officers, July 25 to 29, and for all other positions, applications will be on Aug. 1-5. /Julie G. Fianza
